A Tasty Spanish Experience for Year 9

Towards the end of the academic term, Year 9 Spanish students brought language learning to life in the school kitchens. Tasked with creating the perfect Gazpacho, a traditional cold soup from Spain, students worked in groups of four to five to prepare ingredients, follow recipes and produce a delicious and refreshing dish.

This hands-on activity also involved creating instructional videos, spoken entirely in Spanish, demonstrating the step-by-step process of making Gazpacho. The immersive experience not only allowed students to practice their language skills but also introduced new Spanish vocabulary in a practical and engaging way.

For many students, it was their first time trying or making Gazpacho, adding an extra layer of excitement and curiosity to the lesson. Despite challenges such as filming while cooking, staying organised and measuring ingredients accurately, students supported one another and demonstrated strong teamwork throughout.

The activity served as a creative and effective way to apply classroom learning to real-life contexts, offering students insights into Spanish culture. In doing so, they strengthened essential life skills such as collaboration, resilience, organisation and problem solving.

The results were a pleasant surprise: Gazpacho was easier to make than expected and turned out deliciously. Students also reflected on areas for improvement, such as straining the soup for a smoother texture. Overall, it was a memorable and meaningful way to round off Year 9 Spanish.